Trump makes pitch to farmers hard-hit by tariffs, high prices in Wisconsin | Donald Trump News
Trump Aims to Reassure Wisconsin Farmers Amid Economic Struggles
Chippewa Falls, Wis. — President Donald Trump visited Wisconsin on Friday to engage with farmers impacted by tariffs and the economic ramifications of the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. His stop at a farming roundtable comes just months ahead of the midterm elections scheduled for November.
During the event, Trump sought to bolster support for Republican U.S. Representative Derrick Van Orden, who is facing a strong challenge from Democratic candidate Rebecca Cook. Van Orden has closely aligned himself with Trump, promoting the president as a champion for rural Americans. Recent polls indicate Cook has gained ground, positioning her as a formidable opponent.
Democratic candidates are seen as favorites to retake control of the U.S. House of Representatives, which is currently held by Republicans. “I love the place,” Trump said, speaking of Wisconsin. “Hopefully you’re going to be voting Republican, because frankly, Republican is — I call it the sane way to go.”
A Democratic victory could significantly constrain Trump’s agenda in the final two years of his presidency.
Trump’s visit was part of a broader effort to consolidate support among farmers, many of whom had backed him in the 2024 election. However, farmers have been particularly affected by his tariff policies, which have prompted other countries to limit imports of U.S. products, especially soybeans. These tariffs have also caused a spike in import costs for essential operational supplies.
The administration has attempted to mitigate these challenges with temporary aid packages for farmers. Simultaneously, concerns have grown regarding surging fertilizer costs, which have escalated since the conflict with Iran began on February 28. The crisis has severely impacted the global supply chain, particularly affecting the price of key components like urea.
An April survey conducted by the American Farm Bureau Federation revealed that 70% of U.S. farmers reported being unable to afford their full fertilizer needs. Additionally, the average price for gasoline was reported at $4.04 per gallon this week, reflecting a $1.08 increase from the previous year.
During his remarks, Trump reassured attendees that the administration had “largely finished” the war “one way or the other,” promising that fertilizer and gas prices would decrease soon.
The visit comes amid continuous low approval ratings for Trump, which hover around 40%. Specific issues show even lower ratings, with a recent Marquette Law School poll indicating just 19% of respondents approved of Trump’s handling of gas prices, and only 22% approved of his approach to inflation and the cost of living.
Several Republican leaders have expressed concerns that Trump’s recent actions might alienate economically-focused voters. This includes his proposal for a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund” aimed at compensating individuals, including supporters, who claim to have been victims of political prosecutions. The Department of Justice has since abandoned this plan.
Furthermore, Trump has requested $1 billion in funding for security related to his White House ballroom, despite previous assurances that taxpayers would not bear the costs.
